Re: 'Old Files' shown in disk cleanup area

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From: Doug Knox MS-MVP (dknox_at_mvps.org)
Date: 02/08/04 

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 12:12:26 -0500

No. You do not need to format. There are a number of files that may never be accessed, or modified, with any operating system installation. You're best to just leave them alone! 

-- 
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
 
"David" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:ce7101c3ee5f$45e33d90$a601280a@phx.gbl...
> Doug,
> Thanks for trying to answer my question. I'm thinking 
> that when I had to restore my os, that the 'old files' 
> that are being shown in the disk cleanup area are 
> leftover files from the original installation of windows. 
> Should I format my hard drive completely, ( with all 
> 0's ) and start over ? Would that eliminate all old files 
> being shown ? By the way..if I were to decide to compress 
> the old files, where would they be stored on my system ?
> Thanks for your time and advice.
> David W.
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Old files are ones that have not been accessed or 
> modified in quite some time.   Compressing these files 
> could result in certain applications, or even portions of 
> the operating system to not work.  Its best to leave this 
> option unchecked. You can also remove the option from 
> Disk Cleanup completely.  See www.kellys-korner-
> xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm, Line 48, Right column, Disk 
> Cleanup - Compress Old Files Freezes.
> >
> >See the instructions at the top of the page for the use 
> of REG files.
> >
> >-- 
> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >--------------------------------
> >Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> >http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> >--------------------------------
> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> > 
> >"David" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in 
> message news:bec801c3edc0$112dbde0$a301280a@phx.gbl...
> >> Hello..
> >> 
> >> Last night I had to re-install windows xp home 
> >> edition..drat..drat..I guess I messed up my computer 
> when 
> >> I tried installing a different boot screen. My problem 
> >> now is related to what's being talked about in here in 
> >> the disk clean up area. It's concerning the amount of 
> >> additional space that I could gain by " compressing 
> old 
> >> files " I don't know what old files are being referred 
> to 
> >> there. I thought when I re-installed the operating 
> >> system, that everything was wiped out and I started 
> fresh 
> >> all over again. Of course that's where the problem 
> might 
> >> occur, the operating came pre-installed on my 
> computer, 
> >> so all I have are the supplied 'recovery disks' that 
> were 
> >> shipped with it. It lets me restore my system back to 
> the 
> >> starting state at least. I know when I use the disks, 
> >> that it use the ghost software by symantec to re-
> install. 
> >> I'm thinkinking if possible that a 'real'  formatting 
> of 
> >> the hard drive might be better. I do get a warning 
> when I 
> >> use the recvery disks that says 'WARNING..All data 
> will 
> >> be lost, do I want to continue.  Is there any way to 
> >> actually delete the 'old files' without having to 
> >> compress them..why would I need to save them ? Thanks
> >> 
> >.
> >

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